SEALED WITHOUT A LOVING KISS............

Post by **sloopjohnrb** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:17 pm

Hello, I've bought a replacement door seal for the offside door of Gladys, 1962, 948 cc 4 door.
I must be missing something because, I've had the trim every which way but on and have tried more posistions that the Kama Sutra.

Please does anyone know the best way to fit the seal, I guess there's a technique to it but I can't work it out, even using the passenger door seal as a guide.

Further, I need to replace the interior offside centre pillar liner, but have had no success in finding a part-any tips on who may stock the item would be gratefully received.
Thanks for reading.
Sloopy & Gladys, FEP 726

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:54 pm

The original equipment seals are a felt covered metal strip backed by a 'o' section rubber seal. This is attached to the door frame lip with ADDITIONAL metal clips that push onto the body lip before applying the seal.
I emphasise 'additional' because, when I first did the job, I didn't realise these clips were any different to the metal inside the seal.

Further, I need to replace the interior offside centre pillar liner, but have had no success in finding a part-any tips on who may stock the item would be gratefully received.

I have a pair in light blue if that's any help.

Post by **sloopjohnrb** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:14 pm

Many thanks for the tips which will be of great help.

As to the lower pillar liner, I think that I will have to repair it.
The hardboard section has come apart, and I'm thinking that as the rest of the liner is OK, maybe I could use your liners especially for the hardboard inside them, to repair my existing green one.

Please would you let me know the price including P&P, and I can either pay by cheque or Paypal etc.
Many thanks again,
Sloopy

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:52 pm

will do.

Post by **sloopjohnrb** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:04 pm

Further to my first post-I have a large number of the black clips, which I believe should be put on the door frame first.

However-I'm still struggling............
Do the clips have to be expanded or contracted?
Do the clips inside the seal need opening or closing?

How do the black clips actually fit to the seal?

Sorry, but I'veo got a mental block on this one!!

Any assistance most gratefully received

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:09 pm

The clips should be pushed/tapped onto the metal lip of the door opening at regular intervals, then you push the seal onto the lip over the clips and use light blows with a small hammer to seat it down as far as it will go. If the small black clips are old they may be weak and snap when you try to knock them on. New ones are available from the suppliers. There shouldn't be any clips in the seal before you start - there's a bent metal strip that holds it rigid but you shouldn't have to do anything with that. At the bottom ends of the seal, trim the rigid part back leaving the soft part to drop down a bit further than the bottom of the lip. Personally I didn't have any trouble at all with this job but others have complained of difficulty in fitting the clips.

Post by **adam-wilden** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 6:38 pm

Hi,

I've just had a hard time of it myself - took me over an hour to do the driver's side this afternoon. But I've finally got the seal on and mostly secure - let's hope it's still on tomorow! Luckily ESM gave me a couple of feet too much (probably because I have a 4 door and opening is smaller) so my first aborted attempt didn't write off the seal.

I've learned a few new things...

Don't use too many of the old clips - mine were tired and didn't grip the new seals well.

Holding the new clips with long nose pliers or on the end of a bradawl point helps you avoid whacking your thumb when fixng them on - especially in awkward corners.

It took me ages to realise that the seal slid on between the cloth side and the metal part inside, rather than between the metal part and the rubber - partly because this groove was mostly still sealed on mine. So before my second attempt I opened the slot slightly by running an electrical screwdriver along the entire length so that it fit to the door frame more easily. This was a massive improvement but there were still a few areas where it had sort of collapsed and I had to remove a few inches and open it out again.

I still get the feeling I went about the whole thing completely wrong though...

If anyone has any better advice I'd love to hear it so that the passenger side is easier!

My moggie also had metal plates covering the seal at body height which I assume is to prevent it being knocked off as you climb in and out. Strangely these were *riveted* (beneath the lower trim panel) so I had to lever them off and they are now bent and useless (I'll drill the passenger side ones out).

Oh, and as I was warned by many posts here, I have to slam the door now (well, to be honest, REALLY slam it - I always had to slam it anyway!) Perhaps in a few months the O-section of the seal will compress down to the level of the old one...

Cheers - Adam.

Post by **alex_holden** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:14 pm

I can't really offer any more advice as it was an easy job on mine. The clips went on with one or two taps from a small hammer, then I just pushed the seal most of the way onto the lip with my thumbs and tapped it the rest of the way down with a hammer. I can't recall there being two possible ways it could go on. Mine didn't have any metal plates holding the seals on. I think I spent the most time working out the best spacing for the clips so as to get them at regular intervals but closer together around the curves.

To make it easier to close the door, try slackening the striker plate screws and moving it further out, though mine are adjusted as far as they will go and I still have to slam the door for it to latch properly.

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:15 pm

yes i had those on my van, but changed to the modern type, the origional seal was in fact quite different to the repro original style seal